A PERMANENT CAMP BAND?

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2641, 11 December 1915, Page 12

A PERMANENT CAMP BAND?

SOME SUGGESTIONS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —May I ask you for sufficient space- to bring to the public notice a matter requiring immediate attention? • Wo have on various occasions heard from the public the following cry: "Where are the bands?" "Why does not the band play a prominent part in aiding _ recruiting?" etc. A matter which, is really of equal or mora importance I wish to deal with as follows: At Trontham camp there are approximately four or five permanent Bandsmen of exceptional ability: trombone, cornet, tenor, and euphonium. Tho question has been raised, and I havo discussed it privately with fellow citizents: Why have wo not a permanent band? Australia and Canada have their professional bands. We have here ' at Trentham a permanent camp; the Government havo lavishly spent huge sums upon this camp, ana for somo reason wnich I oannot explain Headqua tors do not appear to have_ the slightest intention or desiro to bring about tie desired effect, namely, a permanent band at Trentham camp. Now, sir, tho position is this: This is a very grave -natter, and I have come to the conclusion after careful thought that unless somebody moves in the matte we will ho as we are another year hence. 1 am convinced that thero are many matters not receiving expert attention by Headquarters, included in this list 'being the question of a permanent' band, it pa ns me as a married man to see bright, intelligent men inarching from the wharf via somo back street down to the train, and not a band in sight. If a permanent band at Trentham was established what would be the result? The band could meet these men, it could giveipublio concerts, and stimulate recruiting to a degree hardly believable. Watch the papers after a band has given a public demonstration, and the proof is easily found. How can wo expect the Fifth Regimental Band (made up of men who have their employments to go to) to turn out at irregular intervals? t is 1 not a fair proposition to ask them, and I know the difficulties under uhich Bandmaster M'Comish works. " know : that this gentleman is a,thorough &bod keen citizen, and when requested or aHKed to turn his men out he rias lievtr railed; but there is a limit to all tilings ; ly . 011 cart h a permanent band 7 has not been established is absolutely v astonishing and puzzling to me. We have a party of fifty fatigue ,men at irontham camp, most 1 of whom are not bandsmen. Could the authorities not give permanent bandsmen fatigue work to fill m time at the camp, and thereby offer them a decent salary" Vt 16 a fact that a certain' business man in Wellington offered his services, but what are the inducements? This particular gentleman is a first-class bandsman. Offers from all over New Zealand from capable bandsmen have been ma'de, and their services are available, but where is Headquarters? Found wanting! Colonel Potter has been very good in giving the Trentham Band permission to assist in various ways in Wellington

of late, and. the trouble is not due to him or his staff, but to Headquarters. A permanent hand, if decided upon, should have a, special uniform, the cost of which could be secured by one pub-. lie concert in Wellington, and I am sure the public would he glad to assist. It we had a. permanent band it could give concerts occasionally, and work miracles in aiding recruiting, and a committee, including Brigadier-General Robin, also the Camp Commandant, the Group Area Officer, His Worship the Mayer, the Town Clerk, secretary of the N.Z. Patriotic Society, and probably one or two other energotic citizens, who-could all keep in touch; and when the necessity occurred, bring tho band before the public. As a citizen of Wellington I know the good work that such a band could do. _ Trouble_ has been brought about, during iflie life of the camps, through tho following causes: When each reinforcements draft is moved into camp at Trentham, a scratch band is formed and ■ hastily endeavours to bring about combination. Just when the band is progressing satisfactorily the draft is split up and tho bandsmen have to scatter into different camps or else depart for tiro front along with their respective units. At present we have a fine combination of bandsmen at Trentham, but in a few days even this band will bo broken into sections and the men located in different camps. He next point is the band would require, and should have, a. special uniform. One concert given by the Camp Band would suffice to provide monoy for thesfe special uniforms. Hie instruments at present in uso by the Camp Band at Trentham are not the best, and a silver set is badly needed. The cost of Bame could be Taised by a popular band ooncert, etc. The move is on the part of Headquarters to say the camp is to have a permanent band; we'll soon start a movement to raise cash to buy nmv instruments and music. Fancy a military camp with a scratch band and practically no music 1 "Too many cooks" and no broth. That sums up the position. ' —I am, etc., R. LESLIE JONES," Day's Bay, December 8, 1016.